Ice tray



July 5, 1955 J H, ROETHEL 2,712,224

ICE TRAY original Filed sept. 25, 1948 fff 22;

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United States ICE TRAY John H. Jioethel, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Roethel Engineering Corporation, of Michigan 5 Ciaims. (Cl. 62-108.5)

Detroit, Mich., a corporation n atent This invention relates to liquid freezing devices and 2 cups or receptacles possess relatively thin walls and are not only highly flexible to facilitate quick release of the ice cubes but are also strong, durable and substantially unbreakable even when subjected to hard usage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved liquid freezing cup or receptacle, preferably of flexible thin-walled plastic material, which terminates around its upper edge in a continuous .outwardly extending rim or flange readily engageable by the fingers when ejecting the ice from the receptacle, the rim being provided with a notch or depressed portion or portions ef- I2l fective to level the liquid or water in the receptacle upon filling the same so as to ensure a liquid level belowkthe normal height of the rim thereby facilitating removal of the ice cube from the receptacle.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tray frame adapted to carry 1 a number of individual liquid freezing receptacles or molds constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section,

taken substantially from lines 2 2y of Fig. 1 looking in .f

the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a front end elevation ofthe device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the liquid freezing receptacle or mold.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways'. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

This application is a continuation in part of my application Ser. No. 766,923, led August 7, 1947, now Patent No. 2,564,235, dated August 14, 195.1, and is also a division of my application Ser. No. 50,8019, filed September 23, 1948, now Patent No. 2,558,984, dated July 3, 1951.

In the drawings there is illustrated, by way of example, an ice tray or the like constructed in accordance with generally U-shaped construction.

one embodiment of the invention and comprising a frame structure adapted to receive a number of freezing receptacles, molds or cups. In the present instance the frame structure is formed from a single sheet or blank of material, such as sheet aluminum. When formed of sheet metal the sheet is stamped or drawn by suitable press operations to provide a one-piece tray frame 9 having a generally hat bottom 10 terminating at opposite side edges in upright longitudinal side walls 11. The upper edges of these side walls or side members are turned or rolled into generallyy inverted U-shape so as to impart strength and rigidity thereto, these rolled edges being indicated at 11a. The bottom of the tray frame terminates in a front upright end wall 12 and a rear up,- right end wall 13, these end walls being integral with the bottom 10. The rear end wall 13 terminates at its upper edge in a rolled or turned `edge 13a similar to the rolled or turned edges 11a which merge integrally into the rolled or turned edge 13a. The front upright wall 12 terminates integrally in a handle 14. It will be noted that the handle 14 comprises side portions 14a which merge integrally into the rolled edges 11a, and the turned edges of these side portions 14a converge into a central handle portion which is embossed upwardly at 14b to provide an underlying recess for the reception of the fingers when grasping the tray to withdraw it from the refrigerator freezing compartment or evaporator.

The bottom 10 of the tray frame is drawn centrally to provide a longitudinally extending upstanding rib ,or double wall partition member 15 which is of inverted This rib or partition member forms a longitudinal grid member dividing` the tray into two sections for the reception of two rows of cups or receptacles. Thus, the central rib or grid member 15divides the bottom 10 of the tray frame into two spaced longitudinally extending receptacle supporting bottom members at opposite sides of the grid 15. The bottom 10 of the tray frame is alsostamped or drawn to provide a number of pairs of transverse ribs or grid members 16 which merge seamlessly into the central rib or division member 15. The ribs 16 are inverted generally U-shape in cross section and the ribs vof each pair extend in transverse alignment, preferably terminatnig shortl of the outer terminal edges of the tray bottom 10 and, hence, short of the side walls 11. The ribs 16 in the present embodiment have the same height as the longitudinal rib 15, and these ribs are preferably of substantially less height than the height of the side and end walls 11, 1 2 and 13. The front and rear ends of the rib 15 merge into the bottom 10 of the tray frame short of the end walls v12 and 13 so as to provide spaces between the ends of the rib and these endV walls affording communication from one side of the rib to the other for the iiow of water.

Thus, the ribs or grid members 15 and 16 not only serve to divide the tray frame into individual receptacle receiving spaces but also to strengthen and reinforce the bottom of the frame against bending, buckling or distortion in any direction. It will be noted that a space is left between the outer end of each transverse rib 16- and the adjacent side wall 11 of the tray frame. Extending longitudinally through these spaces at each side of the tray frame intermediate the ends of the ribs 16 and the side walls 11 are two shallow drain grooves 17. By pressing these shallow grooves into the bottom of the tray frame there are provided, as shown in Fig. 3, two shallow longitudinally extending ribs 18 which extend substantially the full length of the bottom of the tray adjacent the bases of the side walls 11. These shallow ribs 18, which produce the drain grooves 1,7, facilitate release or loosening of the tray frame from the bottom of the refrigerator freezing compartment. The bottom of the tray frame is pierced to provide a number of drain holes 19. As illustrated, each drain groove 17 communicates at each end with a drain hole 19, there being preferably a suitable number of additional drain holes 19 intermediate the ends of the drain grooves. The location and arrangement of the drain grooves 17 and drain holes 19 are such as to facilitate the drainage of water from the bottom of the tray frame during and after the receptacles have been lilled.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the central grid or partition member 15 divides the interior of the tray into two longitudinal spaces for the reception of two rows of individually removable freezing receptacles and also divides the base into two longitudinally extending runners or bottom supporting members which support the freezing receptacles and provide heat exchange contact with the bottoms of the receptacles over substantially the entire areas thereof. In addition, the transverse ribs or grid members 16 divide each longitudinal space in a number, such as ten, of individual receptacle receiving spaces. Although ten such spaces are shown in the present embodiment it will be understood that a larger or less number may be provided.

The bottom of the tray frame is pressed or embossed to provide a number, such as ten, of upwardly extending curved projections 20 located centrally in the receptacle spaces formed by the rib or grid members 15 and 16. The metal surrounding each projection 2t) is countersunk or depressed to provide circular countersunk depressions 21 projecting slightly below the normal plane of the bottom of the tray frame. These circular countersunk portions 21, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, preferably have a depth corresponding to the depth of the shallow longitudinal ribs 1S, the purpose thereof as well as of the projections 20 being hereinafter described.

For freezing purposes the tray frame of the present embodiment is designed to receive ten receptacles, cups or molds 22 arranged in two rows of live each at opposite sides of the grid or rib member 15. each mold or receptacle is formed into a generally rectangular shape and the receptacles may either be spaced as shown with their longitudinal dimensions extending longitudinally of the tray frame or the latter may be formed somewhat wider to permit the receptacles to be arranged with their longer dimensions extending transversely of the tray frame at opposite sides of the rib member 15. Each cup or receptacle 22 is preferably formed from plastic material. Although various kinds of thermoplastic materials may be used I have found that polyethylene plastic possesses important advantages when used in the fabrication of the cups or receptacles. The individual receptacles are, therefore, preferably produced from polyethylene material and this is accomplished by the process of injection molding. These cups have marked advantages in respect to flexibility, toughness and strength within a wide range from low freezing temperatures to temperatures approximating that of boiling water. The cups or receptacles formed from polyethylene plastic are not only highly flexible even at very low temperatures, permitting the quick release of ice cubes, but are characterized by surfaces of wave or paraiiin-like nature, which have little or no appreciable adherence to the ice cubes. The toughness and liexibility of these receptacles are such as to render them extremely' durable and unbreakable, so that the cups are long-lived even under conditions of hard usage.

Each cup or receptacle 22 is provided with upwardlyl liaring side walls 22a terminating in a continuous laterally extending rim flange 2215. In the present embodiment two opposed sides of the rim flange are formed during the injection molding operation with notches or depressed portions 23, the depth thereof being predetermined as desired in order to govern the level of liquid remaining in the receptacle after filling thereof. The remaining portions of the rim flange extending between the opposed Preferably tit notches 23 are preferably left liat so as to extend in a common plane. With this construction it will be seen that the cup or receptacle 22 may be filled to overflowing, yet the excess liquid will flow through the notched or depressed portion 23 bringing the linal level of liquid to a height of the bottom of the notch or depressed portions. The expansion of the water when freezing will as a result prevent the ice from forming over the rim flange or above the level of the normal plane thereof.

The bottom of each cup or receptacle 22 is formed centrally thereof with an arcuate or curved recess 24 into which one of the projections 20 extends when the receptacle is placed within the tray frame upon the bottom 10 thereof. The projections 20 thus keep the receptacles Within the tray frame and serve to restrain displacement of the receptacles while also assisting in locating the receptacles when placed within the frame. Thus, the projections 26, which enter the recesses 24 in the bottoms of the receptacles, together with the ribs 15 and 16 serve the purpose of maintaining the receptacles within the tray frame in proper relation one to another.

Previously in the use of ice freezing cups or molds of this general character where the upper marginal rim or liange of the receptacle is continuously flat around the top of the receptacle, it frequently happens that the user iills the receptacles to the rims with water and then places the tray in the refrigerator with the cups substantially full to the brims thereof. Upon freezing the water, expansion in an upward direction occurs and the ice not only bulges upwardly above the level of the rim but also spreads laterally and overlies the rim flange. This condition renders it difficult to eject the ice cubes in the normal manner at the time the tray is removed from the refrigerator. The preferred method of quickly removing the cubes when thoroughly frozen and unmelted is as follows. The user places the tips of several fingers of both hands on the rim lianges at opposed sides and the thumbs upon the bottom of the cup. He then inverts the cup and by exerting moderate pressure with the thumbs against the cup bottom readily moves or forces the ice cube out of the cup into a glass or other receptacle. It will then be seen that if the ice forms solidly over the rim flange difliculty will be encountered in using the foregoing method to eject the ice cube from the cup since the fingers, instead of engaging over the rim flange will engage over the edges of the ice cube and no amount of pressure of the thumbs upon the cup bottom will move the ice cube out of the cup since the cube will be held by the lingers. In other words, the ice cube in etfect will be squeezed between the fingers and thumbs and will remain within the cup.

The foregoing diiculties are overcome by virtue of the present invention in which the rim flange is depressed or notched at one or more localities, such as indicated at 23. Where the cup is rectangular I prefer to depress the rim at two opposite sides, leaving the rim flat at the other two sides for engagement by the linger tips when ejecting the frozen contents. However, the depressions in the rim flanges of the cups may be located as desired so as to leave portions of the rim flange of the cup higher than other portions so that the ice will always form below these higher portions thereby ensuring portions of the rim flange free of overlying ice for engagement by the linger tips. The notch portions 23 have the additional advantage of imparting increased flexibility to the rim, thereby rendering it easier to flex the upper edge of the cup outwardly so as to render it easier to eject the ice cube from the cup.

I claim:

l. A flexible plastic liquid freezing receptacle for an ice tray comprising a generally rectangular bottom and upstanding side walls terminating in rim lianging extending outwardly from said side walls continuously around the four upper marginal edges of the receptacle, said rim flanging having a depressed notch portion at aside thereof intermediate the ends of the Hanging at such side, the bottom of the notch portion being substantially flat and the sides of the notch portion extending vertically generally at right angles to the bottom, the sides and bottom of said notch portion being in the form of a continuous ange with the bottom thereof disposed at a lower level than the adjacent portions of the rim anging at opposite sides of said notch portion.

2. A flexible plastic liquid freezing receptacle comprising a generally rectangular bottom and upstanding side walls terminating in rim anging extending outwardly from said side walls continuously around the four upper marginal edges of the receptacle, said rim Hanging having a depressed portion at a side thereof intermediate the-ends of the flanging at such side, the sides and bottom of said depressed portion being in the form of a continuous llange with the bottom portion thereof disposed at a lower level than the adjacent portions of the rim flanging at opposite ends of said depressed portion.

3. A llexible plastic liquid freezing receptacle comprsing a generally rectangular bottom and upstanding side walls terminating in rim anging extending outwardly from said side walls continuously around the four upper marginal edges of the receptacle, said rim anging having opposed depressed portions of two opposite sides of the receptacles, the bottoms and sides of said depressed portions forming continuations of said rim flanging, and said bottoms being disposed at lower levels than the rim flanging at the other two sides of the receptacle.

4. In an ice tray having a supporting frame, a removable flexible plastic receptacle therefor comprising a bottom and upright side walls terminating in a continuous rim ange extending outwardly from said side walls around the upper marginal edges of the receptacle, a

anged edge of said receptacle having a depressed portion formed along the sides and bottom thereof with continuous Hanging forming an integral continuation of saidV rim flange, the flanged bottom of said depressed portion being disposed at a lower level than the adjacent portions of the rim flange at opposite sides of said depressed portion.

5. In an ice tray having a supporting frame, a removable lexible plastic liquid freezing receptacle comprising a bottom and upright side walls terminating in a continuous rim ilange extending outwardly from said side walls around the upper marginal edges of the receptacle, opposite edges of said receptacle having diametrically opposed depressed portions each formed along the sides and bottom thereof with continuous flanging forming an integral continuation of said rim ange, the flanged bottoms of said depressed portions being disposed at lower levels than the adjacent portions of the rim flange at opposite sides of said depressed portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,949,453 Crimmel Mar. 6, 1934 2,262,204 Rideout Nov. 11, 1941 2,265,705 Steenstrup Dec. 9 1941 2,386,979 Rundell Oct. 16, 1945 2,459,168 Jocelyn lan. 18, 1949 2,497,743 Roethel Feb. 14, 1950 

